Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 63

Most men have something intelligent to say,
and enjoy sharing what they know.
Tell one person your thoughts, 

but be careful telling a second.
If you tell a third, 

then everyone knows your business.






Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Congratulations to the Winners of the Draw for Free copies of Northern Wisdom!

Congratulations to the Winners of the Draw for Free copies of Northern Wisdom!

The folks for which I have e-mails have been contacted already, but a few of you subscribe and I don't have your emails (you're hooked up via Networked BLOGS etc.)

Would these folks listed below please e-mail my publicist so she can make sure you get your book? e-mail Melinda at melinda@asgard-studios.com


  • Dorilys
  • Darlene
  • Danny Bembibre Gude
  • Soraya Hazel McKee
  • Frigga's Keys
  • Shane
  • loclynn
  • jill
  • R.M Anderson
  • Harry
Thanks again for participating and congratulations!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 62

Like a desperate and hungry eagle,
snapping at anything that moves as he hunts over the empty sea
Make friend and cultivate allies or you will be that eagle,
and when you get into trouble, 

you'll find yourself desperate and alone.






Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Friday, February 24, 2012

Music & Strong Women in Northern European History

I was listening to a beautiful song this morning called "The Great Gaels of Ireland" by Damien Dempsey, a contemporary Irish Folk singer. I've heard this song dozens of times, but this morning I felt compelled to share some thoughts around this particular verse:

"They're the first kings of Europe
And their women weren't shut up
Yes their women were leaders
They won battles, gave orders"

Here is a link to the song:

Great Gaels Of Ireland (Album Version)

Most of my readers are familiar with the strong roles women held in our Northern European history, but for those that aren't,  I hope you'll be pleased that this was indeed the case. As Damien Dempsey said, "our women were leaders, they won battles and gave orders."

One of the earliest and most famous examples that comes to my mind is Boudica. Here is a concise history of her deeds from Wikipedia:


Boudica (Boudicca, or Boadicea)(d. AD 60 or 61) was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.


Boudica's husband Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni tribe who had ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome, left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman Emperor in his will. However, when he died, his will was ignored — the kingdom was annexed as if conquered, Boudica was flogged, her daughters were raped, and Roman financiers called in their loans.


In AD 60 or 61, while the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, was leading a campaign on the island of Anglesey in northern Wales, Boudica led the Iceni people, along with the Trinovantes and others, in revolt. They destroyed Camulodunum (modern Colchester), formerly the capital of the Trinovantes, but now a colonia (a settlement for discharged Roman soldiers) and the site of a temple to the former emperor Claudius, which was built and maintained at local expense. They also routed a Roman legion, the IX Hispana, sent to relieve the settlement.


On hearing the news of the revolt Suetonius hurried to Londinium (London), the twenty-year-old commercial settlement that was the rebels' next target. Concluding that he did not have the numbers to defend the settlement, Suetonius evacuated and abandoned it — Londinium was burnt to the ground, as was Verulamium (St Albans). An estimated 70,000–80,000 people were killed in the three cities (though the figures are suspect).Suetonius, meanwhile, regrouped his forces in the West Midlands and, despite being heavily outnumbered, defeated the Britons in the Battle of Watling Street. The crisis caused the emperor Nero to consider withdrawing all Roman forces from Britain, but Suetonius' eventual victory over Boudica re-secured Roman control of the province. Boudica then either killed herself so she would not be captured, or fell ill and died — the extant sources, Tacitus and Cassius Dio, differ.


Interest in the history of these events was revived during the English Renaissance and led to a resurgence of Boudica's legendary fame during the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria was portrayed as her 'namesake'. Boudica has since remained an important cultural symbol in the United Kingdom. The absence of native British literature during the early part of the first millennium means that Britain owes its knowledge of Boudica's rebellion solely to the writings of the Romans.


Enya has a song about her, titled, naturally enough, 'Boadicea'. It's an absolutely mesmerizing song, and I always imagine Boudicca's armies marching to fight the Roman's when I hear it.



Another great historical example of woman not only as leaders, but as heroins and mythical figures, come to us as Valkyries.

Excerpt form Wikipedia:


In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who decides who falls and dies in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr), the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar. When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans or horses.


Valkyries are attested in the Poetic Edda, a book of poems compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; the Prose Edda and Heimskringla (by Snorri Sturluson), and Njáls saga, a Saga of Icelanders, all written in the 13th century. They appear throughout the poetry of skalds, in a 14th century charm, and in various runic inscriptions.


In modern culture, valkyries have been the subject of works of art, musical works, video games and poetry.


Read More Here

Few could forget the dramatic music of "Die Walküre"(Ride of the Valkyries) by Richard Wagner, which fame was renewed in the 20'th century as part of the soundtrack to "Apocalypse Now" a movie set in the Vietnam war.



I urge you to go and learn more about our noble women, revere your mothers, daughters and sisters.

Hail to you all!








Check out Eoghan Odinsson's New Book "Northern Wisdom"



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 61

Keep a neat and tidy appearance when you go out,
but don't obsess over what you wear.
Never be shamed of modest cloths and shoes,
or even less of an older car.







Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Monday, February 20, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 60

It's important for men to know how to plan,
how much wood to keep you warm in the winter,
how much money to save for emergencies.










Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Research on Druidry Week 4, Reflections of Awen

According to the Black Mountain Druid Order (BMDO), "The Awen is the divine inspiration that brings balance."

Last week I reflected on my research into Awen over the course of the first 4 weeks of the BMDO course in Druidry.

What I learned was a new vocabulary, new ways to express feelings I already had. I've started to learn, quite late in my life, that to be truly happy, I must enjoy the little things; I cherish my first cup of coffee in the morning, the warmth of my dog laying quietly on my lap, the gentle embrace of Sunna (the Sun) in the morning. Life is a string of little events, and if you can find happiness in them as well as the larger events, I think that's the simplest strategy to a happy life. For me the little things are Awen.

In the context of Druidry, the natural world is a big source of Awen , and underlies all the little things that I embrace every day. The wind in the trees, the green of a leaf, the scent of the earth, or the light dancing on the ice, these are Awen. 

I feel that if we are seeking the divine, then we can't confine that search to our handful of deities (or whatever you believe), divinity surrounds us, permeates us. Some posit that the goal of their faith is to seek to emulate the divine, and to perhaps one day reach that level of awareness or state of being. Others feel that we can only experience the divine, and will never attain it. Many would say that we are in fact divine ourselves and only need recognize that fact. Perhaps.

Whatever the case is, I believe that divinity surrounds us, and that in addition to our gods and goddesses, we have the natural world, and everyday events that make up the fabric of our lives. 

In all of these, we can seek the divine, if we care to look.








Read Eoghan's Latest Book - Northern Wisdom



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Hardcover version of Northern Wisdom is now available at LULU for $27.95

For those who requested a Hardcover version of Northern Wisdom, it's now available at LULU for $27.95

http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/northern-wisdom-the-havamal-tao-of-the-vikings/18899676










Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic


Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Friday, February 17, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 59

Rise early if you have few employees or resources,
and complete your own work.
Much opportunity is lost by those who sleep in,
half your wealth is won by gaining the initiative.








Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook